ufflfOfSllT  UF  ILLINOIS  LIBBARV 


SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT 


For  the  six  months  ending  December  31,  1921 


Table  of  Contents 

Personnel  

Information  and  Complaints  

First  Semi-Annual  Report  

Administration  and  Finance  

Health  and  Sanitation  

Public  Safety 

Public  Service  

Public  Library  

Public  Relationship  

Where  $1.00  of  City  Tax  Money  Goes  . 

How  Tax  Money  is  Appropriated 

Tentative  Improvement  Program  

Proposed  Bond  Issue  

Improvement  Procedure  

“Do-Drops”  


Published  by  the  City  Council 

February,  1922 


CLARKSBURG  CITY  GOVERNMENT 
Personnel. 


Thomas  Connell  

James  W.  Robinson  . . 
Thomas  J.  Parrish  . . . 
Newell  J.  Hay  man  . . . 

James  S.  Rodney  

Herbert  E.  Sloan,  M.  D 
Charles  T.  Stealey  . . . 

James  C.  Garrett 

Cleveland  M.  Bailey  . . . 


Councilman,  1st  Ward. 
Councilman,  2nd  Ward. 
Councilman,  3rd  Ward. 
Councilman,  4th  Ward. 
Councilman,  5th  Ward. 
Councilman,  6th  Ward. 
Councilman,  7th  Ward. 
Councilman,  8th  Ward. 
Councilman,  9th  Ward. 


Harrison  G.  Otis 
Dolliver  H.  Hamrick  . 
Glenn  F.  Williams 
Henry  E.  Reeder  .... 

Fred  L.  Shinn  

Thomas  J.  Lang  .... 

R.  Lynn  Osborn,  M.  D. 
Kenneth  L.  Sappington 

S.  Roscoe  Hoffman  . . . 
Sally  Scolley  Page  . . . 


City  Manager 

City  Clerk. 

Police  Court  Judge. 

City  Treasurer. 

City  Attorney. 

City  Engineer. 

City  Physician 

Chief  of  Police 

Chief  of  Fire  Department. 
City  Librarian. 


INFORMATION  AND  COMPLAINTS 


To  seek  information  or  file  complaints,  the  following  schedule  may  be 
of  service: 


Sulbject  Phone 

Assessments 

Items  and  errors  92 

Amounts  and  time  due  ....  440 

Birth  Certificates  331 

Building  Permits  440 

Building  Lines  92 

Burial  Permits  331.. 

Crematory  331 

Death  Certificates  331 

Dog  Licenses  440 

Fire  112 

Garbage 331 

Grade  & street  lines 9 2 

Licenses  440 

Milk  licenses  and  tests 331 

Paving 92 

Police  5 8 

Poor,  Care  of  331 

Quarantine  331 

Sewers  92 

Sidewalks  92 

Street  lights  out  5 8 

Streets 9 2 

Taxes * . . . 4 4 0 

Waste  Collection  331 

Weights  & Measures 331 


Mr.  Lang 

Mr.  Reeder 

. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 

Mr.  Hamrick 

. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 

Miss  Wilkinson 

. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 
. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 

Mr.  Hamrick 

. Any  one  answering 
. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 

. Mr.  Lang 

Mr.  Hamrick 

. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 

. Mr.  Lang 

Desk  Sergt.  of  Chief 
. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 
. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 

. Mr.  Lang 

. Mr.  Lang 

......  Desk  Sergeant 

. Mr.  Lang 

Mr.  Reeder 

. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 
. . . . Miss  Wilkinson 


2 


3 52.0 1 5^- 
(T__  5 

a r.( 


*WB8m' * ILLWOrt  UHMi;/ 
JUN  2 i 

First  Semi-Annual  Report 

(July  1 to  December  31,  1921) 


Submitted  to  the  City  Council,  REMOTE  STORAGE 
City  of  Clarksburg,  W.  Va. 

By  the  City  Manager. 

FOREWORD  AND  SUMMARY. 

Gentlemen : — 

The  following  brief  report  presents  some  of  the  activities  of 

iQoiClt^0Vfrni^ent  durmr  the  six  months  ending  December  31, 
j -*-his  has  been  compiled  from  more  detailed  reports  submit- 
ted to  me  by  my  fellow  workers.  To  them,  in  a large  measure,  be- 
ongs  .the  credit  for  whatever  progress  is  being  made — a credit 
shared  by  you,  as  councilmen,  with  whom  it  is  an  honor  and 
pleasure  to  be  associated,  and  by  the  public  and  the  press,  with- 
out whose  co-operation  no  government  can  well  succeed. 

Several  of  the  items  recorded  are  matters  of  routine  that 
would  doubtless  have  occurred  under  any  conditions.  Many  are 
forward  steps  made  possible  by  the  new  charter.  While  both  you 
and  the  people  you  represent  appreciate  the  handicaps  that  have 
confronted  us,  we  offer  neither  excuses  nor  apologies  on  the  one 
hand  nor  claim  glory  on  the  other.  It  is  an  uphill  pull  and  only 
just  begun.  Points  of  especial  interest  may  be  summarized  as 


V 


A thoro  audit  of  city  accounts  for  the  preceedino*  two 
years  published  in  pamphlet  form; 

Several  damage  claims  settled  to  advantage  of  the  city; 

Assessments  for  $340,000  of  improvements,  contracted  for 
under  old  charter,  adjusted  after  long  and  careful  considera- 


Licenses  refused  to  Questionable  hotels  and  poolrooms ; 
Floating  debt  of  $98,000  reduced  by  $61,484; 

Itemized  budget  prepared,  reducing  general  fund  expenses 
22%,  or  over  $44,000  under  corresponding  expenses  of  nre- 
vious  year;  F 

Expenditures  kept  within  estimates  by  careful  report 
sys  tGm  ] 


Eighty-six  per  cent  of  taxes  collected; 

Bonded  debt  of  $841,800  reduced  by  $154,700; 
Model  sanitary  code  enacted  and  enforced; 
Full-time  health  department  created  and  organized ; 


3 


Bureau  of  vital  statistics  established  under  state  authority; 

Threatened  epidemic  of  diphtheria  broken  up  and  decrease 
in  cases  started  in  October,  in  face  of  nation  wide  increase; 

Public  milk  supply  protected  by  license  system,  inspection  of 
dairies  and  testing  of  milk,  with  marked  results; 

Rigid  inspection  of  restaurants,  markets  and  other  places 
where  food  is  produced  and  handled,  instituted; 

Chemical  and  biological  laboratory  established; 

City  garbage  and  waste  collection  system  inaugurated; 

High-temperature,  30-ton  incinerator  erected  and  financed 
thru  co-operation  of  chamber  of  commerce; 

Public  charity  work  centralized  thru  co-operation  of  county 
court ; 

Complete  traffic  ordinance  passed  and  enforced; 

Taxicab  and  baggage  transfer  rates  regulated  and  reduced 
by  law; 

Comprehensive  penal  code  enacted,  increasing  many  pen- 
alties and  adding  sections  as  to  prohibition,  drug  traffic  and 
gambling ; 

All  school  children  instructed  in  fire  prevention,  over  4500 
home  fire  inspection  blanks  distributed  to  scholars,  of  which 
2400  were  filled  out  at  home  and  returned  to  the  fire  chief; 

Fire  inspections  increased  and  condemned  buildings  de- 
stroyed ; 

Fire  loss  per  capita  reduced  to  17c  as  compared  to  38c  per 
capita  for  the  same  period  in  1920 ; 

Fourteen  paving  and  sewer  contracts  let,  of  which  eleven 
are  completed; 

Contract  for  Main  Street  Bridge  completed ; arch  filled  with 
3,000  cubic  yards  of  earth  at  no  expense  to  the  city; 

Sidewalk  construction  orders  to  total  number  of  552  (ap- 
proximately 23,000  lineal  feet)  issued,  as  compared  to  16  or- 
ders for  the  last  six  months  of  1920; 

More  grading  and  cindering  of  dirt  roads  done  in  six 
months  than  during  entire  previous  five  years ; 

Six  bridges  refloored  or  otherwise  repaired; 

Public  library  circulation  more  than  doubled ; 

Complaint  system  centralized  and  speeded  up; 

Co-operation  of  state  and  county  governments,  business  and 
civic  organizations  of  banks,  schools  and  churches,  and  of 
many  individual  citizens,  received  and  sincerely  appreciated. 


4 


ADMINISTRATION  AND  FINANCE 


Council-Manager  Plan  Succeeds  Commission  Form  of 

Government. 

The  government  of  the  City  of  Clarksburg  passed  from  the 
hands  of  a commission  of  three  to  a council  of  nine  members  on 
May  1,  1921,  under  the  terms  of  the  council-manager  charter  en- 
acted by  the  state  legislature  last  March.  The  new  charter  pro- 
vides for  the  election  of  city  council  by  wards,  each  member  rep- 
resenting one  of  the  nine  wards,  and  for  the  appointment  of  a city 
manager  by  the  council. 

The  city  manager,  “by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  city  coun- 
cil,” appoints  all  administrative  officers  and  may  “employ  and  dis- 
charge at  will  all  other  employees  of  the  city,  except  employees 
in  the  police  department  and  in  the  water  department.”  The  po- 
lice department  is  under  the  direct  supervision  of  the  police  court 
judge,  while  the  Clarksburg  Water  Board  is  practically  a separate 
municipal  corporation,  its  members  being  elected  directly  by  the 
people. 

The  city  council  appointed  John  L.  Ruhl  as  temporary  man- 
ager. Mr.  Ruhl  served  most  ably  during  the  first  two  months, 
appointing,  with  the  co-operation  of  the  city  council,  most  of  the 
department  heads  and  making  comparatively  few  changes  in  the 
existing  personnel.  He  was  succeeded  July  1st,  the  beginning  of 
the  new  fiscal  year,  by  the  present  city  manager. 

Non-Partisan  Appointments 

Section  51  of  the  new  charter  provides,  that:  “No  person 
in  the  service  of  the  City  of  Clarksburg,  or  seeking  admission 
thereto,  shall  be  appointed,  reduced  or  removed,  or  in  any  way 
favored  or  discriminated  against  because  of  political  opinion,  affili- 
ation, or  because  of  race,  color  or  religious  belief.”  Carrying  out 
the  spirit  of  the  charter,  the  city  council  has  never  enquired  as 
to  the  party  affiliation  or  religious  belief  of  the  city  manager,  nor 
has  the  manager  ever  asked  a prospective  appointee  as  to  what 
party  or  church  he  belongs.  First  consideration  is  given  to  ex- 
perience and  ability. 

City  Council  Kept  Busy 

The  charter  calls  for  two  regular  meetings  of  the  city  council 
each  month,  a total  of  12  in  six  months.  The  actual  number  of 
council  meetings  has  been  36.  Among  the  many  activities  of  the 
council  have  been: 

The  passing  of  27  ordinances  and  37  resolutions; 

Granting  of  223  building  permits  for  $326,385  worth  of 

construction ; 


o 


Granting  of  597  licenses; 

Refusal  of  licenses  to  many  questionable  hotels  and  pool- 
rooms  ; 

Ordering  of  552  sidewalks  built  or  repaired; 

Auditing  and  authorizing  payment  of  524  accounts  against 
the  city; 

Settling  several  damage  claims  to  the  city’s  advantage; 

Hearing  complaints  and  adjusting  assessments  in  connec- 
tion with  $340,000  of  improvements  contracted  for  under  the 
old  charter. 


City  Accounts  Audited. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  new  council  was  to  have  all  city 
books  and  accounts,  for  the  preceding  two  years,  audited  in  full 
by  the  state  tax  commissioner’s  office.  The  auditor’s  report  cov- 
ered the  period  from  July  1,  1919  to  April  30,  1921  and  set  forth 
in  detail  the  financial  condition  of  the  city.  It  showed  the  general 
fund  budget  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1921  already  over- 
drawn some  $8,300,  with  more  than  $20,000  outstanding  invoices 
and  other  obligations  still  unpaid  and  this  with  two  months — the 
period  of  heaviest  expanse,  in  no  way  provided  for.  Since  the 
completion  of  this  audit,  many  additional  unpaid  accounts  have 
been  brought  to  light  and  are  still  making  their  appearance.  The 
results  of  the  audit  were  published  in  full  in  pamphlet  form  and 
made  available  to  the  public. 


Floating  Debt  Reduced  $61,484. 

The  floating  debt,  for  the  payment  of  which  the  charter  holds 
the  present  city  council  responsible,  amounted  on  June  30,  1921 
to  approximately  $98,000  as  follows: 


Outstanding  “no-fund”  orders  at  interest  $32,753.42 

Unpaid  invoices  in  hands  of  city  clerk  14,786.83 

Adcruled  city  payroll  5, 9 5 4;. 4 8 

Accrued  office  rent  7,492.50 

Damage  awards,  contracts,  notes  (estimated)  37,012.77 


Total  current  liability  $98,000.00 


To  liquidate  as  much  as  possible  of  this  debt  and  still  have 
funds  for  operating  the  city  government  was  the  first  big  prob- 
lem of  the  new  year.  To  have  provided  for  the  wiping  out  of  the 
debt  in  whole  from  general  fund  revenues  would  have  been  unpar- 
donable folly.  A special  levy  of  12  cents  was  laid.  This  should 
yield  some  $37,700.  The  “no-fund”  orders  were  provided  for  in 
the  general  fund.  By  December  31st,  $61,484.66  has  been  paid  on 
this  debt  and  more  will  yet  be  paid,  but  a part  must  be  carried 
over  until  next  year. 


6 


General  Expense  Budget  Cut  $44,000 

For  the  first  time,  a detailed,  itemized  budget  was  prepared, 
based  upon  corresponding  expenses  for  the  preceding  year.  These 
actual  expenses  were  arrived  at  by  subtracting  from  the  disburse- 
ments shown  on  the  clerk’s  books,  all  accounts  payable  June  30, 
1920  and  adding  accounts  payable  June  30,  1921.  This  process 
showed  the  general  fund  expenses  for  the  preceding  year  to  have 
been  $235,856.33. 

The  treasurer  estimated  sundry  receipts  from  licenses,  fines  &c  $ 55,179.06 
and  placed  the  amount  from  taxes  at  50c  per  $100  valuation  at  168,947.21 
This  made  the  total  estimate  of  revenues  for  gen.  f’d  purposes  224,126.27 
After  deducting  from  this  estimate  amount  of  outstand’g  orders  32,753.42 

We  had  left  for  current  operating  expenses,  a net  of  but  ..  $191,322.75 

Consequently  the  budget  had  to  be  cut  more  than  $44,000  or 
22%  under  the  corresponding  expenses  for  the  year  ending  June 
30,  1921. 

Rigid  Economy  Required 

The  report  of  the  city  clerk  shows  that  during  the  first  six 
months,  the  disbursements  from  the  general  fund,  exclusive  of 
those  for  old  “no-fund”  orders  and  waste  collection,  have  totalled 
$101,746.55.  It  will  require  the  most  rigid  economy  to  even  ap- 
proximate the  budget  estimates  in  the  face  of  the  many  demands 
for  bridge,  sewer  and  street  repairs  and  the  financial  handicap 
under  which  we  are  laboring.  When  it  comes  to  a question  of 
public  safety  or  debt  reduction,  the  council  has  felt  that  its  first 
duty  is  to  protect  the  life  and  property  of  the  citizens.  Expendi- 
tures are  being  reduced  to  a minimum  by  competitive  buying  and 
careful  records  and  reports. 

Eighty-Six  Percent  of  Taxes  Collected 

The  treasurer’s  report  on  December  31st  shows  the  total 
amount  of  property  taxes  collected  so  far  to  be  $253,284.66  as 
against  $185,641.56  for  the  same  period  last  year.  This  is  due 
in  part  to  the  increased  rate  covering  levies  for  a full  time  health 
department  and  for  liquidation  of  bonded  and  floating  indebted- 
ness. Yet  the  ratio  of  taxes  collected  this  year  is  86%  against 
80%  for  1920. 

BONDS  TO  AMOUNT  OF  $172,700  REDEEMED 

(Corrected  to  February  14,  1922 > 

The  bonded  indebtedness  of  the  city,  exclusive  of  water 

works  bonds,  on  June  30th,  1921  was  $841,800.00 

The  city  has  since  paid  off  bonds  amounting  172,700.00 


Leaving  the  amount  outstanding  $669,100.00 

To  arrive  at  the  city’s  net  debt,  we  substract: 

Amount  in  sinking  fund  $ 18,737.35 

Sinking  fund  cash  with  treasurer  15,953.65 


7 


Uncollected  sinking  fund  taxes  17,000.00 

Outstanding  assessments  150,613.96 


$202,304.96 


Making  the  net  debt  of  the  City,  except  water  bonds $466,795.04 

Outstanding  water  works  bonds  are  $477,400.00 

With  sinking  fund  amounting  to  10,615.64 


Adding  the  Water  Board’s  net  debt  $466,784.36 


Gives  us  the  total  city  net  debt  as  $933,5  79.40 

This  means  that  our  debt  margin  is  $755,941.70 


Since  our  assessed  valuation  is  $33,790,422  and  the  total 

Net  debt  limit  is  5%  or  $1,689,521.10 


HOW  THE  $900,000,  1919  BOND  MONEY  WAS  INVESTED 

Water  Board  Bonds.  (Appropriation  $300,000) 

Extension  of  water  system  $300,000.00 

Net  bonds  funds  to  be  repaid  by  taxes None 

Bridges  and  Approaches.  (App.  bridges  only,  $158,000) 

Adamston  Bridge  $119,925.20 

Sycamore  Street  Bridge  42,433.57 

Main  Street  Bridge  41,271.98 

Pike  Street  Bridge  41,200.41 

Hartland  St.  Bridge  11,302.92 


Total  for  Bridges  & Approaches  $256,134.08 

Paid  by  Traction  Company  (net)  23,304.18 


Net  bond  funds  to  be  repaid  by  taxes  $232,829.90 

Fire  Stations  and  Equipment.  (Appropriation  $75,000) 

Equipment  and  expense  $ 43,592.61 

East  End  Station  6,240.89 

West  End  Station  9,196.64 

Central  Station  2,189.97 


Net  bond  funds  to  be  repaid  by  taxes  

Streets  and  Sewers.  (Appropriation,  $367,000) 

* Cost 

Bond  election  and  sale  $ 20,473. 

Main  St.  sewers  36,842. 

Pike  St.  sewers  & paving  170,523, 

Elk  St.  Paving  9,108, 

Hornor  Ave.  sewer  & paving  35,103. 

So.  7th  St.  Curb  1,992. 

W.  Main,  S.  Chestnut  & Ferry 

Streets,  sewers  46,014.67  23,253.98 


$ 61,220.11 


.01 

.95 

.85 

.22 

.34 

.45 


Assessments 

$24,089.34 
129,454.97 
8,608,22 
28,257.26 
1,901.23 


Total  used  for  streets  & sewers  ..$420,058.49 

Total  assessments  for  same  ..••••  $215,565.00 


Net  bond  funds  to  be  repaid  by  taxes  $204,493.49 

Total  1919  bond  funds  payable  ultimately  by  taxes $498,543.50 


Note:  The  excess  of  bridge  expenditures  over  bond  appropriation  was 

considered  chargeable  to  the  street  account,  due  to  the  cost  of  approaches. 
There  is  still  a margin  of  $13,669.89  in  the  1919  bond  fund  for  fire  purposes 
at  such  time  as  a central  station  is  built.  Under  “Streets  and  Sewers,’’  the 
entire  cost  of  the  improvement  is  listed. 


8 


HEALTH  AND  SANITATION 
Model  Sanitary  Code  Enacted 

Among  the  first  forward  steps  taken  by  the  new  council  was 
the  enactment  of  a model  sanitary  code,  providing  for  a full  time 
health  department  and  detailed  regulation  of  public  health  matters. 
This  department  has  been  organized  and  is  financed  by  a special 
three  cent  tax  levy,  to  which  is  added  an  annual  stipend  from  the 
state  board  of  health  of  $2,000  and  the  fees  derived  from  milk  li- 
censes. The  personnel  comprises  of  a full-time  city  physician,  two 
inspectors  and  a secretary.  The  city  physician  has  been  appointed 
health  offijeer  and  registrar  of  vital  statistics  by  the  state  and  over- 
seer for  the  poor  of  the  city  by  the  county  court. 

Diphtheria  Epidemic  Forestalled 

In  common  with  other  cities  throughout  the  country,  Clarks- 
burg seemed  to  be  facing  an  unusually  large  number  of  diptheria 
cases  last  fall.  Diphtheria  is  to  some  extent  a seasonable  disease, 
the  number  of  patients  generally  increasing  from,  September  to 
January  or  February  and  then  decreasing  as  spring  approaches. 
The  new  health  department  started  work  October  15th.  At  that 
time  the  diphtheria  wave  was  nicely  started.  New  cases  being  re- 
ported daily  and  as  many  as  eight  reports  came  in  on  a single  day. 
By  rigid  quarantine,  wholesale  inspection  of  schools  and  occasional 
prosecutions,  the  situation  was  taken  in  hand  and  a decrease  of 
cases  started  within  ten  days.  There  were  30%  fewer  cases  on 
hand  December  31st  than  on  October  15th.  Only  one  new  case  has 
been  reported  within  the  past  ten  days.  The  U.  S.  government  re- 
port shows  a steady  increase  during  this  same  period  in  most  other 
cities.  For  the  two  and  one-half  months,  there  were  110  cases  re- 
ported, 94  discharged  and  but  one  death  recorded. 

Instead  of  discharging  a diphtheria  patient  after  14  days  with- 
out examination,  as  had  been  the  practice,  two  negative  throat  cul- 
tures are  now  required.  Of  the  first  54  cultures  thus  made,  only  12 
showed  the  patient  ready  to  be  released  on  the  14th  day.  Some  pa- 
tients were  kept  in  quarantine  more  than  40  days.  Formerly,  all 
54  would  have  been  turned  loose  and  would  doubtless  have  spread 
the  disease  broadcast.  A total  of  714  of  these  cultures  were  made 
during  the  two  and  one  half  months.  Other  contagious  diseases 
are  handled  with  like  thoroughness.  Whenever  scarlet  fever  is  re- 
ported, every  effort  is  made  to  trace  down  the  source  of  contagion 
and  in  all  but  three  instances,  the  source  has  been  found  and 
blocked  off  by  quarantine. 

Public  Milk  Supply  Protected 

Supervision  of  milk  production  and  distribution  has  been  se- 
cured by  a license  system,  by  inspection  of  dairies  and  by  testing 
of  milk.  The  wholesomeness  of  milk  is  guaged  very  largely  by  the 


9 


number  of  bacteria  it  contains.  The  sanitary  code  is  lenient  on 
this  point  and  permits  milk  to  be  sold  which  contains  as  high  as 
300,000  bacteria  per  cubic  centimeter,  yet  in  spite  of  this  leniency 
several  dealers  have  had  to  improve  their  methods  of  handling  milk 
in  order  to  stay  in  business. 

In  one  case  the  bacterial  count  ran  as  high  as  76,000,000  per  c. 
c.  making  the  milk  dangerous  in  the  extreme.  Bacteriology  speaks 
of  milk  of  this  kind  as  sewage.  In  two  cases,  great  quantities  of 
diphtheria  baccilli  were  discovered  in  the  mlik.  One  of  the  larger 
dairies  was  producing  milk  under  such  crude  methods  that  the 
bacterial  score  ran  to  28,000,000.  After  two  days  detailed  instruc- 
tion by  the  city  inspector,  this  count  was  reduced  to  2,800 — a pre- 
nominal  record,  and  at  present  the  count  remains  about  3,000.  Ev- 
en the  76,000,000  case  was  reduced  by  the  city’s  aid  to  3,000.  Thus 
some  of  the  worst  local  supplies  have  become  among  the  best.  The 
health  department  is  now  establishing  a laboratory  where  chemical 
and  biological  tests  can  be  made. 

Poor  milk  is  directly  responsible  for  much  infantile  sickness 
and  death.  If  the  life  of  even  one  Clarksburg  baby  can  be  saved 
this  coming  summer  by  assuring  good  mlilk,  it  will  be  quite  worth 
while.  At  the  present  the  milk  being  sold  in  the  city  is  of  high 
standard. 


Restaurants  Graded  as  to  Sanitation 

Thorough  inspection  of  hotels,  restaurants,  markets,  grocer- 
ies and  all  other  places  where  food  is  produced  or  handled  for  the 
public,  is  now  being  carried  on  by  the  city  food  inspector.  Eating 
places  are  carefully  scored  on  a standard  schedule  as  to  cleanliness 
and  methods.  Numerous  improvements  in  restaurant  procedure 
and  equipment  have  been  made  as  a result  of  this  service. 

Garbage  and  Waste  Collection  by  City 

In  July,  city  garbage  and  other  waste  was  being  collected  by 
some  30  private  collectors,  using  any  sort  of  cart  that  came  handy 
and  charging  whatever  the  traffic  would  bear.  Shallow,  leaky  wag- 
gons were  dripping  wet  garbage  and  scattering  papers  over  the 
pavements  while  the  odor  of  uncovered  refuse  filled  the  air.  A 
city  collection  system  has  been  inaugurated,  using  trucks  and 
trailers  with  sanitary  metal  bodies  and  heavy  tarpaulin  covers. 
Since  there  was  no  room  in  the  tax  budget  for  the  expense  of  this 
collection,  and  since  the  people  were  accustonfed  to  pay  the  col- 
lector for  his  work,  the  city  is  financing  the  service  by  uniform 
charges  in  the  residence  section  and  special  contracts  with  business 
places,  based  upon  the  amount  of  service  required.  The  residence 
charges  for  one  collection  weekly  are  50  cents  per  month,  or  $5  per 
year;  for  two  collections  a week,  where  such  schedule  is  possible, 
75  cents  per  month  or  $7.50  per  year.  These  rates  are,  of  course, 
payable  in  advance  and  most  of  the  customers  are  paying  by  the 


10 


year,  thus  saving  20%  for  themselves  and  helping  to  finance  the 
new  project  during  the  initial  period  of  heavy  expense. 

Residence  collections  are  made  in  the  day  time  and  the  business 
section  is  covered  at  night,  thus  allowing  double  use  of  the  equip- 
ment and  cleaning  up  the  center  of  the  city  after  dark.  Several 
private  collectors  are  still  in  business,  but  are  required  to  meet  the 
new  regulations  as  to  equipment. 

Thirty  Ton  Crematory  Built 

Our  waste  disposal  system  consisted  of  a broken  down  10  ton 
crematory,  located  over  a coal  mine,  on  leased  land,  up  a hill  ap- 
proached by  an  almost  impassable  road,  and  a dump  in  a big  hol- 
low behind  the  hill,  down  a steep,  private  ntud  road,  for  the  use  of 
which  the  city  was  charged  a high  rent.  It  was  found  impossible 
to  reach  this  dump  by  truck,  so  the  old  crematory  was  repaired  tem- 
porarily and  extension  of  the  lease  secured.  The  plant  was  com- 
paratively new,  and  only  half  paid  for,  a note  for  $5,200,  plus  inter- 
est, falling  due  in  July,  although  the  lease  upon  the  land  where  the 
plant  was  built  expired  in  June. 

During  such  time  as  the  old  plant  could  be  used,  it  has  been 
worked  overtime  to  dispose  of  the  waste  collected  by  the  city,  the 
old  dump  being  reserved  for  the  private  collectors,  the  city  having 
their  waste  burned  for  them.  A part  of  the  time,  burning  garbage 
in  the  open  has  been  the  only  expedient  possible. 

A tract  of  land  has  been  bought,  about  half  a mile  east  of  the 
city  on  the  old  Northwestern  Turnpike,  and  a 30-ton  high-temper- 
ature  incinerator  erected.  It  will  be  ready  for  service  about  Feb- 
ruary first.  The  contract  price  is  $13,000,  the  city  paying  but 
$3,000  cash,  and  the  contractor  accepting  a non-negotiable  note 
for  $10,000  maturing  January,  1923,  signed  by  20  business  men 
who  lent  their  credit  to  the  city  in  the  amount  of  $500  each.  The 
city  did  not  have  sufficient  money  on  hand  and  could  not  legally  give 
a note  payable  next  year.  The  members  of  the  council  have  agreed, 
as  individuals,  to  use  every  effort  to  see  that  the  $10,000  is  pro- 
vided for  in  the  next  budget.  The  chamber  of  commerce  co-oper- 
ated with  the  city  by  securing  the  underwriting  of  this  note. 

PUBLIC  SAFETY 
Traffic  and  Taxicabs  Regulated 

A complete  traffic  ordinance  has  been  enacted  and  enforced. 
All  taxicab  drivers  have  been  placed  under  bond  and  maximum 
rates  for  passenger  fare  and  baggage  transfer  established  by  law. 
Taxicab  fares  in  zone  1,  comprising  the  heart  of  the  city  and  includ- 
ing the  depot,  interurban  station,  hotels  and  hospitals,  were  re- 
duced from  50  cents  to  25  cents,  while  single  passenger  fares  from 
the  center  of  town  to  the  outlying  districts  were  cut  from  $1.50  to 
75  cents.  Traffic  booths  have  been  erected  at  important  street  in- 
tersections without  expense  to  the  ciy. 


11 


Complete  Penal  Code  Enacted. 


A comprehensive  penal  code  of  62  sections,  including  such  of 
the  penal  ordinances  as  had  not  been  previously  redrafted  to  meet 
the  terms  of  the  new  charter,  increasing  penalties  for  most  offen- 
ces and  adding  sections  dealing  with  liquor  and  drug  traffic  and  gam- 
bling has  been  enacted  and  becomes  effective  in  January,  1922. 

The  police  department  is  composed  of  17  officers  while  the 
standard  numjber  for  a city  of  this  size  is  33.  The  resident  sec- 
tion is  not  patrolled  at  the  present  time.  The  number  of  arrests 
for  various  offenses  during  the  past  six  months  is  reported  as 
follows : 


Drunkeness  492 

Disorderly  conduct 180 

Traffic  violations  162 

Immoral  assembling  82 

Loitering  71 

Gambling  27 


Violating  Sunday  Law  20 

Assault  and  battery 12 

Resisting  arrest 10 

Health  code  violations  7 

Building  code  violations  2 2 

Animals  impounded 12 


Juveniles  turned  over  to  probation  officer  and  certified  to  Juvenile  Judge  7 
Prisoners  turned  over  to  state  and  federal  authorities  for  prosecution  26 

Complaints  withdrawn  by  order  of  court  or  chief  of  police 60 

Total  number  of  arrests  for  all  causes  1172 


The  total  amount  of  fines  received  for  this  period  amounted  to 
$7221.85.  The  comparative  figure  for  the  last  six  months  of  1920  is 
placed  at  $5536.74.  The  record  of  convictions  for  drunkeness  has 
been  unusually  high,  due  in  part  to  low  penalties,  to  the  alertness  of 
the  police  and  to  the  large  supply  of  illicit  liquor.  The  new  penal 
code,  by  increasing  the  amount  of  fines,  and  discouraging  the  man- 
ufacture and  peddling  of  moonshine,  should  reduce  this  drunkeness. 


School  Children  Become  Fire  Inspectors 

During  fire  prevention  week,  the  fire  Chief  visited  every  school 
in  the  city  and  instructed  the  children  as  to  methods  of  fire  preven- 
tion, distributing  among  them  some  4,500  home  fire  inspection 
blanks.  Fully  2400  of  these  questionnaires  were  filled  out  with 
the  aid  of  the  parents  and  returned  through  the  teacher  to  the  fire 
chief.  The  educational  value  of  this  inspection  to  both  parents 
and  children  is  self-evident. 

During  the  six  months  there  were  but  35  fires  credited  to  the 


following  causes: 

Cause  unknown  8 

Gas  heaters  (leaks  and  carelessness 9 

Burning  of  trash  . 6 

Cigarettes  and  other  smoking  5 

Fire  crackers  2 

Spontaneous  combustion  from  oil  mop  ...  1 

Children  playing  with  matches  1 

Carelessness  with  candle  1 

Careless  handling  of  keosene 1 

Automobile  fire  from  gasoline  1 


The  total  loss  is  placed  at  $4,905  on  which  insurance  to  the 
amount  of  $3,950  has  been  paid,  making  the  net  loss  to  the  property 
owners  but  $955.  The  total  loss  per  capita  was  17  1-2  cents  as  com- 


12 


pared  to  38  cents,  for  the  sante  six  months  in  1920.  Continuous 
inspection  of  the  business  district  is  carried  on  by  the  department 
and  three  buildings  condemned  as  fire  hazards  have  been  destroyed. 

PUBLIC  SERVICE 

Fourteen  Paving  and  Sewer  Contracts  Let. 

Nine  paving  and  five  sewer  contracts  have  been  let  since  July 
1st.  Of  these  fourteen  contracts,  all  but  three  have  been  com- 
pleted. The  total  cost  of  these  improvements  approximates  $150,- 
000.  In  addition  six  other  sewers  were  constructed  by  city  forces 
or  private  individuals  under  city  supervision. 

The  contract  for  construction  of  the  Main  Street  bridge,  let 
during  the  preceding  year,  has  been  completed  and  the  arch  filled 
with  some  3000  cubic  yards  of  earth  at  no  expense  to  the  city, 
partly  from  paving  jobs  and  partly  by  excavation  for  private  build- 
ing projects. 


Six  Bridges  Refloored  and  Repaired. 

Many  of  our  older  bridges  were  found  to  be  in  a dangerous 
condition  demanding  immediate  attention.  The  Point  Comfort 
bridge,  the  Montpelier  bridge,  the  Industrial  bridge  and  the  foot 
bridge  from  Stealey  to  Point  Comfort,  required  new  flooring 
throughout,  while  considerable  repairs  were  made  on  the  Sixth 
Street  bridge  and  the  Broad  Oaks  foot  bridge.  The  total  cost  of 
this  bridge  work  is  over  $7000  although  the  budget  estimated 
but  $2000. 


Over  500  Sidewalk  Orders  Issued. 

Within  the  six  months  period,  552  orders  have  been  issued 
by  the  Council  for  sidewalk  construction  and  repairs,  compared  to 
16  similar  orders  the  year  before.  When  these  orders  are  all  com- 
plied with  they  will  add  23,000  feet  of  good  sidewalks,  nearly  4 1-2 
miles.  Construction  of  concrete  walks  has  been  temporarily  post- 
poned by  cold  weather.  The  city  will  proceed  in  the  spring  to  con- 
tract for  the  construction  of  all  sidewalks  ordered  in  and  not  built 
by  the  property  owners. 

More  Street  Work  Than  in  Five  Years. 

The  engineering  department  reports  that  more  work  has  been 
done  on  our  dirt  roads  in  six  months,  than  during  the  entire  pre- 
vious five  years.  Over  32  miles  of  ditches  and  drains  have  been 
made  by  the  road  machine  and  the  pick  and  shovel  crew;  70  of 
our  unimproved  streets  being  thus  graded.  Some  750  truck  loads 
of  cinders  and  50  loads  of  broken  brick  and  crushed  rock  have  been 
hauled  and  spread.  A brick  layer  has  been  employed  continuously 
in  repairing  the  brick  paving  and  the  traction  company  has  been 


13 


persuaded  to  do  considerable  work  along  the  same  line  on  the  pav- 
ing between  their  tracks.  Much  remains  still  to  be  done. 

Not  a great  deal  of  street  cleaning  has  been  possible,  due  to 
lack  of  men  and  equipment.  At  that,  some  120  truck  loads  and 
2,600  push  cart  loads  of  dirt  have  been  removed  from  the  pave- 
ment, cleaning  approximately  702,000  square  yards,  in  addition  to 
the  flushing  of  some  172,000  square  yards,  by  street  hose.  The 
street  force  consists  of  but  twelve  regular  employees. 


PUBLIC  LIBRARY 
Circulation  of  Books  Doubled. 

The  Clarksburg  public  library  is  a comparatively  young  insti- 
tution but  growing  rapidly  and  deserving  of  more  funds  and  pat- 
ronage. The  total  appropriation  this  year  is  only  $3,370  derived 
from  a one  cent  special  tax  levy.  The  salary  of  the  librarian  is  in 
no  way  commensurate  with  her  ability  and  efforts.  She  receives 
but  $100  per  month  from,'  which  she  voluntarily  deducts  $20  to 
pay  an  assistant.  The  following  comparative  summary  merits 
public  approval: 


Juvenile  Circulation 


Last  6 mo.  of 

Fiction 

Classified  Literature 

Periodicals 

Total 

1921 

4176 

136 

303 

4615 

1920 

2135 

85 

225 

2445 

Increase 

Adult 

2041 

51 

78 

2170 

1921 

3737 

467 

483 

4687 

1920 

1571 

186 

362 

2119 

Increase 

2166 

281 

121 

2568 

This  makes  the  total  circulation  for  the  last  six  months  of 
1921,  9302  as  compared  to  that  for  the  same  period  a year  before 
of  4564,  a gain  of  4738  or  more  than  100%.  The  number  of  people 
using  the  reading  room  was  likewise  doubled.  Since  July  1st,  1921, 
519  books  have  been  added  and  17  withdrawn,  bringing  the  total 
number  of  volumes  now  in  the  library  to  4,002,  a small  but  prom- 
ising beginning. 


PUBLIC  RELATIONSHIPS 

* . , • a " * * 

Handling  of  Complaints  Systematized. 

Recently  the  handling  of  complaints  has  been  systematized  to 
the  mutual  benefit  of  the  city  and  the  public.  Most  complaints  are 
received  at  the  council  chamber  which  serves  as  a waiting  room 
and  is  presided  over  by  a secretary  who  represents  the  offices  of 
the  city  manager,  the  city  engineer  and  the  city  physician.  These 
complaints  are  delivered  by  telephone,  by  letter  and  by  person  and 


14 


are  recorded,  with  such  information  as  is  available,  on  duplicate 
complaint  blanks.  The  original  copy  goes  to  the  officer  detailed  to 
attend  to  the  matter  in  question  and  the  duplicate  is  filed  with  the 
head  of  the  department  concerned.  A report  is  made  to  the  de- 
partment head  by  the  investigating  officer  and  the  original  com- 
plainant notified  by  card  as  to  the  results  of  the  investigation  when 
advisable.  Several  hundred  complaints  have  been  handled  in  this 
manner. 


Co-operation  of  Public  Received. 

The  co-operation  of  the  state  department  of  health,  both  mor- 
ally and  financially  has  already  been  mentioned,  as  has  that  of 
the  county  court  in  centralizing  city  charity  work.  The  chamber 
of  commerce  has  co-operated  not  only  in  the  matter  of  financing 
the  new  incinerator  but  by  devoting  forum  meetings  to  the  discus- 
sion of  city  affairs  and  by  taking  the  initiative  in  the  question  of 
metal  street  poles  and  other  projects  before  the  people.  The  banks 
came  to  the  city’s  rescue  when  $78,000  of  bonds  fell  due  October 
1st,  with  no  funds  on  hand  for  their  payment,  and  carried  the  bur- 
den until  tax  and  assessment  money  was  available. 

The  schools  have  been  most  friendly  in  matters  of  public 
health  and  fire  prevention.  The  milk  dealers  association  is  work- 
ing in  harmony  with  the  health  department  and  the  several  social 
agencies  have  carried  more  than  their  share  of  the  public  charity 
and  health  burdens.  Other  organizations  and  many  individuals 
have  been  most  active  in  their  support  of  the  council’s  efforts  to 
give  the  city  of  Clarksburg  the  sort  of  government  it  deserves  and 
desires. 


' v ‘ 1 

WHERE  $1.00  OF  THE  CITY  TAX  MONEY  GOES 


Debt  Service : 

Improvement  bonds;  payment  and  interest  34c 

Floating  debt,  (special  levy)  12c 

Floating  debt,  delinquent  taxes,  &c,  (general  fund)  . . 11c  23c 


57  c 

Operating  Expenses: 

Council  and  manager  . ... 2c 

City  building,  y2c;  city  attorney,  y2c  lc  3c 

Advertising  and  printing  2c 

Finance  and  accounts  : 2c  4c 

Fire  protection  .. 7 M>  c 

Police  protection  71/£c 

Street,  sewer  and  bridge  maintenance  10  y2c 

Street  lights  4yjC 

Crematory  . . 2 c 

Health  (special  levy)  3 c 

Library  (special  levy)  l c 43c 


$1.00 


15 


The  Two  Dollars  Collected  By  The  Cou/vty 


HOW  TAX  MONEY  IS  APPROPRIATED 

The  total  tax  rate  on  Clarksburg  property  for  1921  averaged 
$3.00  on  $100  valuation.  Of  this  $3.00,  $2.00  is  payable  at  the 
court  house  as  follows:  $1.35  for  city  schools,  $.45  for  the  county 
and  $.20  for  the  state.  The  city  tax  rate  is  $1.00. 


16 


TENTATIVE  IMPROVEMENT  PROGRAM 


The  following  program  of  street  improvements  is  tentative.  It 
may  be  changed  upon  request  of  any  considerable  number  of  prop- 
erty owners  concerned.  Streets  may  be  added  or  omitted,  or  the 
time  of  starting  the  work  altered.  The  purpose  of  presenting  this 
program  is  to  aid  in  finding  out  just  what  the  people  want. 

Should  the  proposed  bond  issue  carry,  the  city  would  have 
money  with  which  to  pay  its  share,  and  the  property  owners  would 
have  a chance  to  pay  their  share  in  ten  annual  installments  at  low 
interest.  Otherwise  only  a very  small  part  of  the  work  can  be  done 
this  year. 

In  this  list,  those  improvements  which  seem  to  merit  first  at- 
tention are  marked  “A”  and  effort  will  be  made  to  get  them  under 
way  this  year,  although  there  are  too  ntany  of  them  to  warrant  def- 
inite promises.  Those  marked  “B”  might  be  handled  in  1923,  if 
the  bonds  are  voted. 


Paving. 

Ward  1.  A 

Main  (Elk  to  Phillipi),  Park  (Main  to  Jackson),  Terra  Cotta  (Main  to 
Pike),  Florence  (Pike  to  Bridge). 


B 

Oak  (Pike  to  Jackson),  Jackson  (Church  to  Linden),  Church  (Pike  to 
Grant),  Linden  (Phillipi  to  B.  & O.),  Factory  (Phillipi  to  Pike),  Phillipi 
(Charleston  to  Factory),  Drummond  (Charleston  to  Factory),  Pike  (Brown 
to  Florence). 

Ward  3.  A 

St.  Clair  (North  to  Buckhannon),  Orchard  (St.  Clair  to  Harrison),  North 
(Howard  to  Haymond  Hwy.),  Harrison  (Point  to  Bridge),  Haymond  Hwy. 
(Point  to  Buckhannon),  Jarvis  (or  Quincy)  (Haymond  Hwy.  to  Buena  Vista). 

B 

Broadway  (Main  to  limits,  car  tracks),  Main  (Broadway  to  Capitol), 
Spring  (St.  Clair  to  Buckhannon),  Hedge  (all),  Alley  (Daisy  to  Howard), 
Austin  (Jarvis  to  Ross),  Ross  (Austin  to  Haymond  Hwy.),  Ocella  (Daisy 
to  Harrison),  Lang  (Marshall  to  Waldeck). 

Ward  3.  A 

Denham  (all),  Webster  (Lincoln  to  Sherman),  Virginia  (Lincoln  to 
Sherman),  Second  (Mechanic  to  Elliott),  Elliott  (Second  to  Jarvis),  Jarvis 
(Elliott  to  Mechanic),  Main  St.  Bridge,  Elm  (part)  Carr  (part). 

B 

Monticello  (Main  to  Bridge). 

Ward  4.  A 

Traders  (Fourth  to  Third),  Main  (Second  to  Sixth)  No.  Fourth  (Clark 
to  Baltimore),  No.  Fifth  (Werniger  to  Clark),  Ohio  (part),  No.  Fourth 
(1  blk.  G.  E.  No.  2). 


17 


B 


Pike  (Sixth  to  Main)*  Sixth  ,(Main  to  Bridge),  Traders  (Sehon  to 
Sixth),  Gore  (Machine  to  Sheridan),  Sheridan  (Gore  to  First)  School 
(First  to  Third),  Hewes  (Fourth  to  Second),  Wemiger  (Fifth  to  Sixth), 

Ward  5.  A 

Main  (Sixth  to  Pike),  Locust  (continued  to  Peck),  Sycamore  (Mul- 
berry to  North  View). 

B 

Traders  (Sixth  to  Chestnut),  Peck  (Pike  to  Creek),  Methrel  (Pike  to 
Main),  Hartway  (Pike  to  Locust). 

Ward  6 A 

Hickman  (Second  to  Holden),  Lee  (Third  to  Holden),  Third  (Mechanic 
to  Lee),  So.  Fifth  (Hornor  to  Lee  and  Wilson  to  End),  Wilson  (So.  Fifth 
to  Preston),  So.'  Seventh  (Lee  to  Wilson),  Sumner  (Main  to  Boughner). 
So.  Chestnut  (Complete). 

B 

Hickman  (Preston  to  So.  Fifth). 

W ard  7 A 

Milford  (Bridge  to  North),  Hart  (1  Blk.  east  of  Duncan),  McDowell 
(part),  Euclid  (Milford  to  Woodland),  Magnolia  (Traction  to  Milford), 
Hartland  Bridge,  Ash  (or  Orchard),  (Coolidge  to  Woodland). 

B 

Milford  (North  to  limits),  Liberty  (Traction  to  Quentin),  Woodland 
Euclid  to  End). 

Ward  8 A 

Adamston  Bridge  and  approaches,  Pike  (Garrett  to  limits),  Weston- 
Fairmont  Pike  (limits  to  limits)  Garrett  (Pike  & Adams). 

B 

Church  (Pike  to  Charles),  Mines  (Pike  to  end). 

Ward  9 A 

Sixth  (Fayette)  (Hamill  to  Rolland),  Holland  (Sixth  to  Seventh), 
East  (Franklin)  (Rolland  to  Denham  or  Hardy),  Hamill  (First  to  Glass), 
(Sixth  to  Seventh)  (Fairis  to  Main  or  Pershing),  Main  (Hamill  to  Rolland). 

B 

Fairis  (Rolland  to  Logan),  Hamill  (Main  to  East),  Rolland  (Sixth 
to  proposed  bridge  across  river. 

Sewers  A 

Main  (Maple  to  Park),  Main  (Second  to  Sixth),  Adamston  (Mines  to 
River),  North  View  (Seventh  Street),  Stealey  Heights  (Stealey  Ave.  to 
River),  Magnolia  Ave.  (about  800  ft.),  So.  Third  (Lee  to  Main),  Lee 
Third  to  Holden). 

B 

Broad  Oaks:  Hobgoblin  and  Ocella. 


18 


PROPOSED  BOND  ISSUE 

Requests  are  frequently  made  for  public  improvements  that 
can  be  financed  only  by  a bond  issue.  Such  an  issue  at  this  time 
would : 

1.  Reduce  taxes  for  the  next  few  years. 

2.  Create  work  for  hundreds  who  need  it. 

3.  Bring  thousands  of  dollars  of  outside  money  into  Clarks- 
burg. 

4.  Permit  improvements  benefiting  every  section  of  the 
city. 

Those  projects  for  which  there  seems  to  be  the  greatest  pop- 
ular demand  would  cost  the  city  about  $500,000.  This  can  be  bor- 
rowed by  issuing  bonds  and  be  paid  back  in  small  installments 
at  low  interest  during  the  next  34  years. 

Additional  bonds  for  perhaps  $500,000  in  anticipation  of  pav- 
ing and  sewer  assessments  would  permit  property  owners  to  pay 
their  share  of  street  improvements  on  the  ten  year  installment 
plan  at  a low  rate  of  interest  and  would  increase  neither  the  net 
debt  of  the  city  nor  the  taxes  to  be  collected^  as  both  principal  and 
interest  would  be  met  by  these  assessments.  A third  set  of  bonds 
would  allow  extension  of  the  water  works  system  to  residence 
sections  now  without  any  water  supply  for  household  use  or  ad- 
equate fire  protection.  The  amount  requested  by  the  water  board 
is  $200,000.  Of  course  these  bonds  would  not  affect  the  taxes  at 
all  as  they  are  payable  from  water  board  income  entirely. 

Taxes  Would  be  Reduced 

Should  the  council  and  the  public  favor  this  bond  issue,  taxes 
for  the  coming  year  could  be  materially  reduced.  The  first  $500, 
000  mentioned  above  is  the  only  part  of  the  issue  that  must  be  pro- 
vided for  from  taxes.  The  only  payment  required  from  taxes  for 
the  next  three  years  is  $25,000  annually  for  interest.  After  that, 
$16,000  worth  of  bonds  could  be  retired  each  year  for  31  years, 
with  an  added  $4,000  the  last  year.  The  reduction  of  taxes  for 


1922  is  easily  proved. 

If  this  issue  is  voted,  it  would: 

1.  Return  to  the  general  fund: 

(a)  Money  advanced  on  Colonial 

Building  stock  in  1919  $16,000 

(b)  Money  advanced  on  the  new  crem- 
atory and  site  in  1921  6,000 

2.  Make  unnecessary  the  collection  of 

general  fund  taxes  for: 

(a)  Redeeming  crematory  note  ....  11,000 

(b)  Paving  bridges  and  intersections 

and  sewering  22,000 

(c)  Rent  on  fire  station,  city  offic- 
es and  garages,  over  5,000 


Or  a total  benefit  to  19  22  taxpayers  of 
Against  the  bond  interest  needed  of  . . 


Allowing  a reduction  on  these  items  of  $35,000 


$60,000 

25,000 


19 


Jobs  for  the  Jobless  and  Others 

Should  the  people  favor  issuing  these  bonds  it  would  permit 
an  improvement  program  amounting  to  over  $1,200,000.  Nearly 
half  of  this  amount  would  be  spent  for  labor.  Turning  loose 
$600,000  in  wages  during  the  next  two  years  would  greatly  relieve 
the  unemployment  situation  and  consequently  all  other  lines  of 
business. 

Outside  Money  for  Clarksburg 

Probably  most  of  the  bonds  would  be  sold  in  New  York.  In 
that  event  we  would  have  over  $1,000,000  of  outside  money  to 
spend  here  in  the  next  two  years  and  not  need  pay  it  back  until  lat- 
er, and  then  in  small  installments. 

Improvements  for  all  Sections 

The  proposed  program  of  improvements  as  listed  below  would 
benefit  all  parts  of  the  city  either  directly  or  indirectly. 

. The  extension  of  fire  protection  by  added  water  mains  and  a 
modern  fire  alarm  system ; the  police  alarm  system ; paving  and  sew- 
ers, are  direct  benefits  that  would  reach  every  ward. 

The  proposed  bridges  and  sanitary  improvements  of  Elk  Creek 
while  locally  beneficial,  affect  a large  number  of  people. 

The  central  fire  station,  city  building  and  a city  park  are  of  a 
general  nature. 

Streets,  Sewers,  and  City  Plan  $150,000 

The  city  engineer  and  the  city  manager  with  the  co-operation 
of  the  councilmen  have  prepared  a tentative  program  of  paving  and 
sewering,  based  largely  upon  requests  from  property  owners.  This 
includes  the  paving  of  several  bridges  and  some  80  streets.  Such 
a program  would  take  several  years  to  work  out  if  we  are  compelled 
to  raise  the  city’s  share  by  general  fund  taxes.  If  the  proposed 
bonds  are  voted,  most  of  the  work  can  be  done  in  the  next  two  or 
three  years  and  the  cost  to  tax  payers  scattered  over  some  ten 
succeeding  years.  The  amount  proposed  is  based  upon  the  en- 
gineer’s estimate  of  the  City’s  share  of  this  program,  with  a small 
allowance  for  a comprehensive  city  plan  to  guide  the  growth  of  the 
city  along  scientific  lines. 

Fire  Station,  Fire  & Police  Alarms  & Equipment  $88,000 

The  city  has  been  ordered  to  move  its  central  fire  station  this 
spring.  From  the  looks  of  it,  a few  men  could  move  it  with  little 
effort,  but  there  is  no  place  to  put  it.  Our  present  station  housing 
$50,000  worth  of  equipment,  most  of  it  new,  is  itself  a flimsy  fire 
trap.  There  is  still  some  $18,000  left  over  from  the  1919  bond  is- 
sue. This  added  to  the  $88,000  would  allow  approximately  $80,000 
for  land  on  which  to  erect  the  station,  $40,000  for  the  station, 
$10,000  for  a new  engine  for  the  west  end  station  and  some  $23,000 


20 


for  a complete  fire  and  police  alarm  system  extending  to  all  sec- 
tions of  town.  The  central  station  and  the  fire  alarm  system  are 
necessary  in  order  to  retain  our  present  fire  insurance  rate  sched- 
ule. 


Crematory  Plant  $17,000 

Payment  for  the  new  crematory  plant,  already  erected  should 
be  provided  for  by  bonds.  The  land  cost  $1500;  the  crematory, 
$13,000  plus  interest  and  the  balance  of  the  proposed  total  amount 
is  needed  for  a well,  a roadway  and  othed  accessories.  Some 
$6,000  will  have  been  advanced  from!  this  year’s  current  tax  funds 
and  would  be  returned  if  the  bonds  are  issued.  A note  for  $10,000 
endorsed  by  20  business  men  matures  next  winter  and  must  be  met 
by  the  city.  The  plant  is  now  in  operation  and  appears  to  be  very 
satisfactory. 

Colonial  Building  $90,000 

The  Colonial  Building,  where  the  city  offices  are  now  located, 
is  valued  at  $114,600  and  is  owned  by  the  Colonial  Building  and 
Realty  Company.  The  city  has  contracted  for  two-thirds  of  the 
stock  of  this  company  and  has  already  paid  $41,000  from  the  gen- 
eral fund;  $16,000  in  1919,  and  $25,000  from  the  budget  of  1920. 
By  paying  $20,500  for  the  other  third  of  the  stock  and  redeeming 
outstanding  mortgages  and  notes  to  the  amount  of  $53,100,  the 
city  would  become  sole  owner  of  the  building.  The  proposed 
$90,000  would  permit  these  transactions  and  the  return  of  $16,000 
to  the  general  fund. 

Public  Market,  City  Garage  & Storage  Yard  $25,000 

The  purchase  of  a small  tract  of  land  near  the  center  of  the 
city  would  permit  the  establishment  of  a public  market  at  little  ex- 
pense and  the  erection  of  a city  garage,  both  of  which  projects  have 
much  to  com'mend  them.  One  of  the  sites  now  being  considered  is 
admirably  suited  to  both  purposes.  There  appears  to  be  a genuine 
demand  for  a public  market  which  would  encourage  the  increase 
of  garden,  poultry  and  dairy  products,  with  opportunity  for  direct 
sale  to  the  housewives. 

The  city  garage  and  storage  yard  are  badly  needed  as  we  lack 
adequate  housing  for  our  equipment  and  are  paying  considerable 
rent. 


Point  Comfort  Bridge  $40,000 

The  present  bridge  on  Pike  Street  connecting  Point  Comfort 
with  “Old  Clarksburg”  is  too  narrow  to  permit  a street  car  and  an 
automobile  to  pass  each  other.  A wider  concrete  bridge  would  al- 
low a straightening  of  the  road  and  open  up  for  residence  purpos- 
es, the  present  unsightly  tract  at  the  west  end  of  the  bridge.  The 
Traction  Company  will  undoubtedly  contribute  toward  the  construc- 
tion of  the  bridge. 


21 


North  View  Bridge  $30,000 

The  logical  location  for  a bridge  from  North  View  to  Adamston 
is  just  beyond  the  city  limits  at  the  bend  of  the  West  Fork  River. 
Such  a bridge  would  accomodate  approximately  150  North  View 
students  attending  high  school  in  Adamston  who  must  now  make 
a big  detour,  and  would  afford  a shorter  route  through  the  city 
to  the  Fairmont  and  Pennsylvania  road.  The  estimated  cost  is 
placed  at  $75,000.  Should  the  county  construct  this  bridge  or  pay 
for  the  major  portion  of  it,  the  $30,000  would  build  the  necessary 
approach  on  the  North  View  side  or  help  toward  payment  for  the 
bridge. 


Elk  Creek  Sanitary  Improvements  $10,000 

The  logical  and  ultimate  solution  of  the  city’s  sewer  problem 
is  the  construction  of  a large  sewer  main  along  the  bank  of  Elk 
Creek.  This  project  would  cost  possibly  a quarter  million 
dollars  and  cannot  be  undertaken  for  several  years.  Meanwhile, 
the  deepening  of  the  channel  at  certain  places,  the  connection  of 
sewer  outlets  with  the  water  and  the  possible  construction  of  canal 
lock  dams  at  advantageous  points  would  doubtless  greatly  relieve 
the  present  situation  which  causes  an  almost  unbearable  nuisance 
during  dry  weather. 

Ball  Park,  Athletic  Field  and  Swimming  Pool  $50,000 

Clarksburg  is  practically  devoid  of  park  space  and  has  not 
one  well  equipped  park  or  play  ground.  The  project  being  con- 
sidered is  the  acquiring  by  condemnation  and  purchase  of  some  20 
acres  lying  near  the  center  of  the  city  between  South  Chestnut 
Street  and  the  West  Fork  River  and  converting  the  tract  into  a 
park  and  recreation  field  with  provisions  for  baseball,  football, 
tennis,  swimming,  boating,  play  grounds  and  picnic  purposes. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  South  Chestnut  Street  paving 
this  park  could  be  reached  frorp  the  city  building  by  auto  in  5 
minutes,  by  walking  in  less  than  15  minutes  and  by  trolley  via 
Stealey  and  a foot  bridge  in  short  time.  This  is  the  last  suitable 
tract  left  within  the  city  limits  and  it  must  be  bought  soon  or  never 
and  its  purchase  and  equipment  seem  highly  desirable.  The  amount 
proposed  should  permit  the  equipping  also  of  the  North  View  park 
and  possibly  other  neighborhood  play  ground  projects. 

Time  Propitious 

There  never  was  a better  time  to  undertake  public  works  than 
now.  The  President’s  Conference  on  Unemployment  is  urging  that 
every  patriotic  community  push  public  works  to  the  utmost.  It  is 
recommended  that,  if  the  council  deems  best,  the  citizens  be  given 
an  opportunity  to  express  their  wishes  on  this  matter  at  an  early 
election  so  that  this  program  may  be  started  this  spring. 


S 


22 


IMPROVEMENT  PROCEDURE 
Streets  and  Sewer 

The  usual  procedure  for  permanently  improving  streets  by 
laving  and  sewering  is  substantially  as  follows : 

The  city  manager  decides  on  the  improvement  program,  based 
l requests  from  citizens  and  advice  of  the  council. 

The  engineer  prepares  plans  and  specifications. 

The  council  passes  a “preliminary  resolution”  setting  forth  the 
cation  and  kind  of  improvement,  the  method  of  payment  and  es- 
mated  cost. 

The  manager  prepares  an  assessment  report  showing  amount 
of  assessments,  benefits  and  danfages,  etc. 

This  report  is  filed  with  the  council  and  the  city  clerk  notifies 
property  owners  concerned  as  to  the  details  of  the  proposed  im- 
provement and  stating  time  and  place  to  file  complaints  and  claims 
before  the  board  of  revision  of  assessments. 

Claims  for  damages  must  be  filed  with  the  board  in  writing 
within  two  weeks. 

The  board  hears  all  complaints  and  objections,  revises  assess- 
ments when  necessary  and  reports  its  findings  and  all  claims  for 
damages  to  the  council. 

The  council  if  it  decides  the  improvement  shall  proceed,  pas- 
ses an  ordinance  approving  the  plans  and  specifications,  levying 
the  assessments  as  reported  by  the  board,  and  directing  the  man- 
ager to  proceed  with  the  work. 

Notices  for  bids  are  published  for  fifteen  days  in  two  daily 
papers. 

The  bids  are  opened  and  the  council  authorizes  the  manager  to 
award  the  contract  to  the  successful  bidder. 

Sidewalk  Procedure 

No  sidewalks  can  be  built  without  the  consent  of  the  city 
council. 

It  is  customary  for  those  desiring  sidewalks  built  or  repaired 
to  notify  the  city  engineer. 

The  engineer  investigates  and  prepares  a description  of  the 
proposed  work. 

The  council  usually  requests  the  property  owner  to  construct 
or  repair  the  walk  according  to  the  engineer’s  plans. 

If  the  property  owner  fails  to  comply  with  the  request,  the 
council  may  contract  for  the  work  to  be  done  and  charge  the  cost 
to  the  property  owner,  subject  to  the  usual  liens,  interest  and  pen- 
alties. 


To  Refresh  the  Memory  and  to  Revive 


*wf«ra*i  f W ILLINOIS  LIBRARY 

‘‘DO  DROPS” 

JUN  % 1 wo? 

ive  the  Spiri 


rit  of  Co-operatidj 


Do  drop  the  habit  of  making  messenger  boys  of  your  Councilman 
Phone  “92”  instead. 


Do  drop  around  to  the  Colonial  Building  and  get  acquainted  wil 
your  city  employees. 


Do  drop  a line  to  the  City  Manager,  making  suggestions  and  corj 
plaints,  but  do  not  forget  to  sign  your  name. 


Do  drop  the  custom  of  calling  up  city  officials  at  their  homes,  oi 
side  of  office  hours,  except  in  emergency  cases. 


Do  drop  in  and  make  the  City  Treasurer  glad  by  squaring  up 
accounts,  if  you  owe  the  City  money. 


Do  drop  the  idea  that  the  police  can  make  and  keep  the  town  clej 
morally,  without  your  help. 


Do  drop  a hint  to  the  police  judge  when  you  suspect  law  violatic: 
your  confidence  will  be  respected  if  requested. 


Do  drop  a card  to  the  City  Physician,  or  call  “331,”  whenever  y| 
learn  of  any  reportable  disease,  even  a very  mild  case. 


Do  drop  the  notion  that  the  Health  Department  is  designed  asg 
spite  bureau,  for  use  in  “neighborly”  altercations. 


Do  drop  your  garbage  and  other  trash  in  proper  cans  for  city  cj 
lection,  and  not  in  the  alley  or  over  the  river  bank. 


Do  drop  the  hope  that  all  street  and  sewer  complaints  can  be  giv|§| 
immediate  attention ; there  are  28,000  other  folks  in  to^ 


Do  drop  the  theory  that  a few  soft  coal  cinders  on  a soft  rr  y 
road  will  make  a good  pavement. 


Do  drop  over  on  Hewes  Street  and  see  our  “central  fire  statioj 
Then  work  for  one  we  need  not  be  ashamed  of. 


Do  drop  in  at  the  Public  Library  some  afternoon  or  evening  i\ 
see  what  we  have  and  what  we  need. 


Do  drop  your  work  for  two  minutes  more  and  lend  a construct 
thought  to  your  city  government. 


Do  drop  the  attached  coupon  into  the  mail  box  or  bring  it  with  } 
when  you  call  at  the  Colonial  Building. 


•C*  . J* 

Do  drop  your  “hammer”  and  pick  up  your  “saw”  and  “Let’s  go.”$H 


24 


